After all, Kliff Kingsbury is returning to coach an NFL offense, as the Washington Commanders are making him their new offensive coordinator under head coach Dan Quinn, according to multiple reports.
It was a strange sequence of events that led to this hiring after Kingsbury was expected to join the Las Vegas Raiders and head coach Antonio Pierce in the same role.
However, ESPN reported Saturday that Kingsbury has withdrawn from the race, according to his agent, Erik Burkhardt.
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Kliff Kingsbury will reportedly join the Washington Commanders as their offensive coordinator. (Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Kingsbury, a highly respected offensive mind who coached with Lincoln Riley at USC last season as the team's quarterbacks coach, was also considered the leading candidate to join Washington under Quinn, who is back as head coach after several years as defensive coach of the Dallas Cowboys. coordinator.
Kingsbury is now on board and that makes things very intriguing for the Commanders and the 2024 NFL Draft.
Washington has the second overall pick in the draft after a horrendous season under Ron Rivera, who was fired as head coach. Rookie quarterback Sam Howell showed that he can definitely work in the passing game, but the Commanders as a whole need to work on his roster.
KLIFF KINGSBURY RETIRES FROM RAIDERS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOB; TOP CANDIDATE FOR COMMANDERS OC: REPORT
Kingsbury worked closely with USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who many project as the No. 1 overall pick. However, it is the Chicago Bears who own that pick.
Could the addition of Kingsbury lead to a trade with Washington and Chicago to ensure Williams plays in a Commanders uniform next season, boosting his work with Kingsbury?
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury looks toward the scoreboard during the first half against the Broncos in Denver on Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
That will likely be among the speculation that will lead to this hire. But until then, the addition of Kingsbury as the team's offensive coordinator brings his signature Air Raid offense to a team loaded with young talent at wide receiver.
Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel fared well in Eric Bieniemy's offense, and Howell finished just under 4,000 yards in his first season.
Speaking of Bieniemy, he's technically still under contract with Washington, but it appears he'll need to find a new role in the NFL with Kingsbury on board. Therefore, teams still looking for an offensive coordinator may see an experienced Bieniemy hit the open market.
Kingsbury also brings experience as a head coach in Washington after spending four seasons as Arizona Cardinals' coach.
Kliff Kingsbury will reportedly join the Washington Commanders as their offensive coordinator. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
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The team averaged 23.6 points per game during his time at the helm. Kingsbury's best season came in 2021, when he helped lead the Cardinals to an 11-6 record and a postseason berth.
